The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Abroad

The fact that you clicked on this blog hopefully means that you are interested in teaching abroad, and by now, you've read all there is to know about the pros and cons that might come with it. However, I'm going to break down what you need to know about teaching abroad and things you should be looking out for.

Believe it or not, your passport won’t get you into every country without any questions asked. To work abroad, you do need to have a valid work visa. Make sure that when you are working abroad, you are on the correct visa and that you are working legally under that visa. Most companies will assist you in applying for your work visa. However, it’s important to do your research on both the country and the company. Ask the right questions and ensure that the company or school can support you in the correct way.

ou may be asking yourself, ‘Do I need to know the local language if I’m teaching English?’ Technically, no, you don’t need to learn the local language; however, if you plan to live in a country, I suggest picking up some basics before you travel. Although you’ll be speaking English in your schools and with your peers, there is a whole world out there, and the best way to experience it is through the eyes of the locals. Get to know them by learning a few key phrases of the local language to help you integrate with the community.

It’s always a good idea to do some research into the culture of a country before you travel, and more specifically, research the different regions within the country, as each area has its own quirks. For example, food and language can vary greatly across different cities in China. By doing this research, you might even find locations that are better suited to your personality.

Will you experience culture shock? In short, yes, but that’s not always a bad thing. Embrace the culture for what it is and get involved. The more you understand about a culture, the less likely you are to experience culture shock, and the better your experiences will be.

Teaching abroad can vary greatly – there are many different types of schools, and it’s important to know which one works best for you. From international schools to training schools to government schools, be prepared for what each type will provide and require from you. From teaching hours to class sizes, these schools differ significantly. Don’t be afraid to explore your options and ask the right questions to find out what will work best for you.

Are you qualified to teach English abroad?

For most teaching positions abroad, you’ll need a degree and a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate as a minimum requirement. If you don’t have a TEFL, look into companies that can help you with this. For example, English 1 will sponsor (and pay for) your TEFL course if you don’t already have one. Once you have a TEFL certificate, it’s yours, so the world will truly be at your feet.

These are qualifications for teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and are widely recognised in the TEFL industry. Some companies will help you obtain these qualifications while working for them, and these are the companies worth working for. If they offer you progression and qualifications, then they care about the staff they hire.

It’s great to be prepared for the classroom in every way. Although some schools will have everything prepared for you, why not do some extra research and find useful websites and books that could help you excel in the classroom? Try searching for ESL games and teaching strategies online. Remember to keep all the materials you create; you never know when you might use them again. Ask other teachers if they have any resources they can share with you. The TEFL classroom is an exciting place, and sharing ideas and materials can only benefit your lessons.

ESL is a huge market in China alone. For example, over 300 million people are learning English as we speak. That’s the equivalent of the entire US population. The number of people learning English in China is set to grow by around 15% every year. What does this mean? TEFL is a massive industry and, as a result, can provide many career paths for your future.